Jade Pear Palace
In front of the bed, Ling Ziyan's face had turned pale as a sheet. The pain in her body was nothing compared to what she's feeling in her heart. The heart-wrenching pain caused her to curl up into a bow, with only her withered hands holding tightly onto Duan Mu Yan and Duan Jingyang!
"Mu Yan... It was mother who have let you down... Mother will help you escape from this wretched place... Run away from here! Your father has forsaken you... I won't stand and watch you being humiliated...
"Mother… Don't worry about your daughter... Marrying Xiao Jin Feng is not bad it seems… Yu Xuan always talked about him, saying how courageous his brother was in both martial arts and governing. It was a blessing for this daughter to be able to marry into the Xiao House… Mother… This daughter doesn't resent you… " Blinking her eyes, Duan Mu Yan exerted all her strength to stop the tears from rolling down her face. The imperial physician had made it very clear that Consort Li's health was failing, and was only upon her will to live, to be with her children, that she was still alive.
Duan Mu Yan knew that Consort Li's biggest desire was to personally see her get married to the man she loves, and to live a life of happiness and full of contentment; and to see her son be recognised by both the Emperor and the entire court. But her mother knew so well now that it was a wishful thinking, that unless the Emperor will be visited by a divinity, it was far-fetched to be coming true. However, to prevent her children from worrying about her, Consort Li smiled, though it did not reach her eyes.
"Sister! I'll go and discuss this with royal father! He had gone too far! Father clearly knew that you like Yuxuan, but still insist you on marrying Xiao Jin Feng! Beside, Father knew full well that Xiao Jin Feng already has a wife!"
"Brother, don't!" Duan Mu Yan grabbed his brother's arm immediately as he pivoted to run. She was now aware of how their father really felt about Duan Jingyang, and she doesn't want to put her brother into a more difficult position. "I already agreed to father... that I will marry Xiao Jin Feng…" she said faintly.
Consort Li's lips trembled, her already swelling, puffy red eyes were tightly shut—her heart filled with resentment. Why was the heavens so unfair? She had already taken the blame, and she hadn't complained for twenty years, but she never thought that this kind of injustice would continue to her own children! Unreconciled… She really didn't want to accept this.
"It was mother... It was due to my incompetence this happened... I think this is now the right time to tell you what had happened between your father and me..." Consort Li grasp onto her children's hand. Duan Mu Yan felt however that it was not necessary for their mother to explain. And was afraid of how it will affect Duan Jingyang. Earlier, she was thankful that it was her and not her brother who had heard those heartbreaking words, because if it would have been her brother, he would breakdown.
"Mu Yan... I want you both to understand what really happened, and why your Father is being like this. And Mother swears to the heaven that everything I say were all true. If there's even the slightest falsehood, then you, my beloved children, won't reincarnated as human in your next life..." A single tear slid down from here eyes, but she slowly wiped it off, and decisively wanted to recount what had happened 20 years ago.
Duan Mu Yan and Duan Jingyang sat beside the bed, prepared to attentively listen to the memories of the past that had been unknowingly floating in the palace for these past years.
Consort Li's thoughts slowly drifted back to 20 years ago...
"Twenty years ago, this Mother of yours was one of the many concubines that your royal father doted on the most. At that time, I remembered that as long as your royal father has any worries, he would always visit into this palace to taste the Pear Blossom Wine that I brewed. Later on, when he went outside the palace for some routine inspections of his people, he met a girl called Qin Yu Die. When he came back, he couldn't stop thinking of her that he sometimes was caught absentmindedly in court. Even at night, he always dreams about her, calling her name. In order to let Qin Yu Die enter the palace, he frequently went to ask permission from the Empress Dowager. But mother was so adamant everytime to accept an unknown woman. Your father then reproached Mother in more than one occasion for being a snob and even questioned her benevolence and magnanimity. Mother stands with her decision despite of your father's intimidation. However, when I saw your father being troubled emotionally all day long, I decided to persuade Mother to be merciful and let Qin Yu Die in the palace. If I say I wasn't jealous, then I would be lying! But it was known and it was a fact that in a Monarch's harem, one favour won't last in one woman that long. It was unfortunate though that Mother did not accept my suggestion and went straight directly to your father and blatantly rejected the proposal! Later on, I found out that on the second day of my visit, Mother investigated Qin Yu Die's background and it was found out that that woman was from a brothel. But your royal father insisted that I was the one who had slandered that woman in front of the Empress Dowager. From that moment on, your royal father… there was only hatred… I thought that hatred would fade with the passage of time... But who would have thought that he would hate me for so long… It was so long that I even forgot the reason of our misunderstanding... Even though your royal father always said he loved Qin Yu Die, but I know his nature. If Qin Yu Die did really entered the palace at that time, perhaps right now, she's just an ordinary concubine among many. That was what your father likes since I have known him. The more he can't get one thing, the more precious that thing becomes…" Her quiet voice contained a hint of weakness and sadness. But despite of some difficulties talking for a span of time, she felt as though the heavy weight that she's been carrying on all this years was lifted. Tears rolled down from the corners of Consort Li's eyes. She felt wronged and helpless.
"Mother …" It was hard for her to imagine what kind of torture her mother had suffered all these years. In this single moment, she truly hated that man who had hurt her mother; hated her royal father for his ruthlessness and indifference; hated him for his sentimentality and self-indulgent. The indignation that could be seen through Duan Mu Yan's eyes was obvious, however it only lasted for a second before it disappeared.
"Mu Yan... It was mother who implicated you...
Duan Mu Yan fearfully held her very weak mother on the bed as she looked at her face in heartache. She then turned around and took the medicinal soup from Duan Jingyang.
"Mother… Mu Yan doesn't blame you at all… I believe that the heavens will not bully Mu Yan... No matter who she marry, Mu Yan will be grateful… You taught this daughter, that as long as you have a kind heart, you will certainly obtain happiness. That I believe, Mother..." She's struggling to keep her tears at bay. But it was all easier said than done. Duan Mu Yan's mind was filled with Xiao Yu Xuan's image. Will happiness be really attainable that easily?
After Consort Li fell asleep, only then did Duan Mu Yan and Duan Jingyang leave the place.
The moment she stepped out of the Jade Pear Palace, Duan Mu Yan staggered and almost fell to the ground. Luckily, she had Duan Jingyang's support.
"Sister... I've decided, I won't let you marry Xiao Jin Feng no matter what! He is a married man, would you really want to be wronged as a mere side wife? Beside, the one you really like is Yuxuan! I know royal father doesn't like me, I've noticed that. You don't have to shield me from all of this… I also know that my character is cowardly... But this time, big brother will definitely stand up for you!" Duan Jingyang's sword-like brows tightly knitted together. He could tolerate being mocked, could tolerate his royal father's dissatisfaction and disregard, but he could not stand idly watching his own little sister jump into the pit of fire!
"Brother, forget it already. Even mother can't change royal father's mind… Also, I already told Father clearly that I will marry Xiao Jin Feng." She looked straight at her brother's eyes, the look of determination was palpable. "I'm even willing to be a slave and to be the lowest kind of human. I just want Brother and Mother to be safe and sound... Brother, promise me... that when I leave, you will take good care of mother..." Duan Mu Yan wanted to cry, but she would not. She would not shed tears in front of her mother nor brother. She was willing to suffer, but she could not let them suffer along with her!